About
凌 is a phono-semantic compound: the semantic ice radical 冫 on the left and the phonetic component 夌 on the right. The ice radical points to the original meaning of accumulated ice or an ice block. Because ice builds up and rises as it freezes, the character extended to signify rising high, soaring, and physically surmounting obstacles. This idea of rising above led to metaphorical meanings of encroaching upon, bullying, or insulting from a position of perceived superiority, and further to abstract notions of oppression and transgression. The structure thus traces a semantic path from frozen water to social aggression.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
凌晨三点，他还没睡。
他从不欺凌弱小。
她的头发有点凌乱。
山峰凌驾于云层之上。
直升机凌空而过。
她的意志凌驾于困难之上。
这些指控纯属欺凌和诬蔑。
梅花凌寒独自开。
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